When they think that a hole has been won in match play and it has not.

When they forget that it is a strokes competition in which they must hole out (or be disqualified).

When they mistakenly think that it is not the ball that they have been playing with on that hole.

When they think that they are entitled to relief and they are not.

When the wind or gravity has moved their ball and they wrongly assume that it must be replaced.

However, it is important to remember that there are seven exceptions listed in Rule 18-2a, where no penalty is incurred when a player causes their ball in play to be moved. They are;

In searching for a ball in a hazard covered by loose impediments or sand, for a ball in an obstruction or abnormal ground condition or for a ball believed to be in water in a water hazard - Rule 12-1. (This Rules was changed in January 2012 and the penalty is now the same as for causing a ball to move through the green.)

In repairing a hole plug or ball mark - Rule 16-1c

In measuring - Rule 18-6

In lifting a ball under a Rule - Rule 20-1

In placing or replacing a ball under a Rule - Rule 20-3a

In removing a loose impediment on the putting green - Rule 23-1

In removing movable obstructions - Rule 24-1.

Remember, that the provisions and exceptions to Rule 18-2a also apply when the player’s caddie, or partner in a four-ball or foursomes, causes the player’s ball to move.

I will cover the rulings that apply when somebody else moves your ball in play in a separate blog.

Until then, good golfing,

Barry Rhodes

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13 comments:

Under Rule 18, if a ball is accidentally moved by the player (let's say he kicks the ball in the rough while searching for it), he incurs a one stroke penalty and must replace the ball, correct? Based on that scenario I have two questions: 1) What happens if the player does not know the specific spot where the ball was impacted? 2) If the player didn't see the ball until it was impacted, how can the lie be determined? 3) If the ball is not replaced and the player makes a stroke, then the breach of the rule penalty of two additional strokes are applied?

Yes, there is a one stroke penalty for accidentally moving your ball in play.

To answer your questions;1. If the spot where the ball was at rest is not determinable the ball must be dropped (not placed) as near as possible to the spot where it originally lay, Rule 20-3c.2. See above.3. If the player does not replace the ball where it was before they moved it they incur a two stroke penalty for playing from the wrong place, but this cancels the original one stroke penalty for moving the ball in play.

In both cases, providing the ball is moved accidentally during search, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced (Rules 18-3a and Rule 18-4). However, in match play a penalty of one stroke is incurred if an opponent's ball is moved other than during search (Rule 18-3b).

If a player in a competition kicks his ball in frustration and then immediately replaces it in its original position before taking his next shot is it just a one shot penalty under rule 18-2. Only reference to this type of incident that can be found on the internet is:

Yes that is correct, the same penalty as accidentally moving your ball and replacing it (Rule 18-2a). Of course, the deliberate act of moving your ball in play to get a better shot, as in the article that you refer to, is a different matter altogether.

There are no opponents in Stableford, which is a stroke play (not match play) competition; there are fellow competitors. There is no penalty when a fellow competitor moves your ball in play whether it is accidentally or purposely (e.g. marking it on a green). Rule 18-4. The moved ball must be replaced.

About Me

Barry is the author of ‘999 Updated Questions on the Rules of Golf 2012-2015’, the easiest and most enjoyable way to absorb and understand the Rules.
He is an enthusiastic, high handicap golfer, resident in Dublin, Ireland, who developed an interest, then a fascination, and now an obsession with the Rules of Golf. Barry’s relationship with the Rules began in 2000 with his participation in the inter-club Rules of Golf quiz competitions, organised by the Royal & Ancient for Golf Clubs in Great Britain and Ireland. This then led to him writing articles, running quizzes, and delivering presentations on the Rules at a variety of Golf Club and corporate functions.
In March 2008, Barry became the first person to achieve a 100% correct mark on the public Advanced Rules of Golf Course examination, run by the PGA in their headquarters at The Belfry, West Midlands, UK, and in April 2015, Barry received a ‘pass with distinction’ in the R&A’s Level 3, Tournament Administrators and Referees School examination, the highest certification awarded.
Having blogged since December 2008 Barry hopes that you will check out some of his previous blogs by clicking on the months/years above.